Salt and Space

Labor Day weekend 2010

Saturday: Underground Salt Museum
First we watched a safety video about how important it was to wear your hard hat and carry your respiratory at all times, and what to do in case of an emergency, like a fire.

Then on to get our gear. Future miners:
To travel 650 feet down, you must take an elevator, or hoist, that is very noisy and completely dark. It's about a 1-2 minute ride, and during the ride, Zach asked, "we'll live, right?" Luckily we did! In the mine, we heard a little about how the salt mine was found, and had a brief geology lesson. Then off to explore. We saw the machines used by the miners long ago and also a little bit of what is stored in the Underground Vaults and Storage:
A tram ride took us in dark tunnels and told us more about the history of the salt mine and how it is mined today. The boys said their favorite part was the train ride.

At the end we got to pick out some salt to take home!
Sunday: Hutchinson Zoo & Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

We had a couple of hours before the Cosmosphere opened, so we went to the Hutchinson Zoo. It was free, and it featured mostly native animals to this area.

We fed the fish and turtles...

Acted like groundhogs...
And looked across the river to see what we could see...
We made a brief stop at the park, where we met up with Oma. After lunch we headed to the Cosmosphere. We watched an IMAX movie - Hubble - about the Hubble telescope. Adam was intrigued...Zach, not so much. After the movie we visited the museum. Zach and I zipped through all the exhibits in record time.

This is Zach in the White Room...not to be confused with the White House. Don't ask me what is significant about the White Room, we were moving so fast, I couldn't read anything.
"Houston, we have a problem." (boy, do we ever!)
Next: Dr. Goddard's Lab. Blowing stuff up? Using chemicals to start fires? Loud explosions? Yeah, the boys were into that. Adam even answered a few questions when the instructor asked the audience.

Zach was ready to go after that. Since Oma had driven herself, we had an extra car. Zach, Oma and I headed home. Adam and Scott stayed to watch the Planetarium show.

Eight

Friday, August 27: Treats at school

Sugar cookies with blue frosting and sprinkles. CapriSun. The class sang a birthday song to him. His was the first birthday of the year.

Friday night: Pizza, All Star Sports, Sleepover
Silly bandz are all the rage. They are bracelets that snap into different shapes. Collect 'em. Trade 'em. Wear 'em!
See?
The three stooges.
But Zach couldn't join any of the fun, because he was sick.
Sunday, August 29: Adam's *real* birthday

We celebrated with Oma, Papa, and Grandma Agnes. Zach was feeling much better by then. Can you tell?
He bought those Legos for Adam with his own money. He was so proud that he "only spent $11!"

A moment in time

Had to capture this...because it won't last long! There's only a few months when children have both of their front upper teeth gone. He also has a lisp, which probably isn't a *good* thing, but it's just so darn cute. Oh, and Zach cooperated and let me take his picture.

First day of school

1st gradeCrowd of parents and students at Maize Elementary School. Zach had a problem finding his room, so I found him in the hallway asking a teacher for directions. He also lost a tooth on the bus ride to school!

When he got home, he said he felt like he had been in school "for like, two days!" The good news: Zach's best friend is in his class.

2nd grade With Luke and Ben, neighbors and fellow soccer team mates. Adam said recess wasn't long enough. But his good buddy Eli is in his class.

Related posts:
2009 first day of school (Adam 1st grade, Zach Kindergarten)
2008 first day of school: Adam (Kindergarten) | Zach (Preschool)

Questions of the week

This is just a small sample of the questions I have heard this week. Feel free to answer any you might know.

What does business mean?

What does sense mean?

How much money will I make if I invent flying cars? $5 million?

Have you ever gotten carsick?

When was the first time you remember getting carsick?

Have you ever thrown up in the car?

What does 88 dot 99 ($88.99) mean? I don't get that.

What's a Polaroid?

Is there such thing as seasick?

How much blood does someone have in their body?

Can a cavity eat through your teeth?

Can you get on a rainbow?

What would happen if you didn't have any lips?

Why do people bite their fingernails?

What does re-finance mean?

What is this called? [crosses eyes]

How is a tornado made?